Know When to Hold Him

by Lindsay Emory

  JT had celebrated every one of his thirty-two birthdays at the family ranch. The pool party was just the start of the traditional activities. He and his buddies were already whooping it up on the back patio. There would be a barbeque later that night. The next day would be ATV tours of the ranch or mudding in the ridiculously tricked out 4x4 that JT’s brother kept at the house. The only thing that made this weekend fall short of the perfect guy’s weekend was the fact that JT’s birthday fell tragically in April with not a football game in sight.

  Spencer was not interested in the cannonballs, the kegs, or the camouflage. She had come because maybe Rainey might have been a little right. Breaks were healthy. Breaks kept a woman strong and capable for the next hurricane coming her way. So she had packed a bag for the weekend, hoping for a nice weekend away from the city where she could catch up on work in peace.

  She scowled at the cell phone and wondered if she knew anyone at the carrier who could rearrange a few satellites. Maybe she could pull a few strings… But even Spencer knew that was ridiculous. Maybe. She could mention it to JT, though. A man rumored to be running for state office needed reliable cell phone service at his weekend house.

  With a sigh of resignation, Spencer decided it was time to join the party.

  …

  Twenty minutes later, Spencer checked her outfit to make sure she was presentable. She wasn’t a vain person. She was realistic. The white cover-up was long enough to hide the pale, dimpled scar that twisted around her upper right thigh. She wasn’t ashamed of her body or her scars. Spencer was proud of the fact that she was a survivor, healthy and strong, but she hated when she had to answer questions about it. She’d moved on. The rest of the world needed to join her.

  She accessorized with the basics: flip flops and her Blackberry. Just because she didn’t have cell service in her room didn’t mean that she had to permanently give up hope for a signal.

  The cell service didn’t magically appear when she went downstairs, or when she stepped onto the patio. Spencer barely noticed the group gathered in and around the pool, or the country music that blared from the built-in speakers.

  She was so engrossed in her phone that when someone yelled her name, she startled.

  Across the pool, an athletic male drew her attention, like a moth staring into a bug zapper. There was something familiar about him. She was distracted by golden skin decorated with tattoos that only highlighted broad shoulders, a sculpted chest and abs… Oh, God. Spencer swallowed hard. That body needed to be carved into marble.

  Spencer Hightower was a level-headed, practical woman, but a body like that made a tense, hot tendril wrap around her belly.

  The last time she’d felt this way, she’d been staring into Mystery Man’s eyes.

  Shit.

  She gasped for air as the body jumped in the pool, her gaze following his powerful back and legs as they swam towards her. As he neared the surface, the ladylike part of her brain reminded her to wipe the drool off her chin. She tried to recover composure, but it wasn’t quite enough when two simultaneous shocks hit her system. First, the perfect male body surfaced and revealed the piercing eyes of her Mystery Man. Second, she was unceremoniously tossed in the pool.

  …

  Liam pulled the floundering woman to him.

  She’d walked around the pool, focused on that damn piece of technology. Spencer. At the benefit, she’d said her name like he should know it. Liam wondered how he’d ever find her again and there she was, parading through his afternoon like a Sports Illustrated swimsuit model. The shirt she had on covered a great deal of skin, but her long, lean legs were bare. His imagination sprang to life. All he could think about was how good she’d look wearing his shirt and nothing else.

  Liam had needed another dive in the pool. The deep end, preferably. Otherwise, the effect Spencer had on him would have been obvious to everyone.

  The water distracted him for only a moment before he came up for air and caught her eye. He had no time to warn her before JT’s brother Zach pushed her in the pool with a big goofy laugh.

  A big splash and Liam had her, pulling her into his arms with no effort at all. Buoyed by the heated water, he slid one arm around her waist and lifted a thigh to help stabilize her in the deep end. The shirt was now plastered to her shoulders and breasts, the white fabric transparent and tantalizing with just enough hint of skin.

  “Hi,” Liam said with a smile. “I’m Liam.” Recognition flared in her eyes, and another emotion that seemed very much like doubt. Or fear.

  “Hi, Liam,” she said softly.

  His grin widened. He liked the way she whispered his name, especially with that tantalizing drop of water trembling on her bottom lip.

  “Hi, Spencer.” It was like they were the only two people in the pool, floating and entwined. Her legs had wrapped around his thigh, straddling him and fitting perfectly. Liam wished the water was about fifty degrees colder, because there was no way she could miss the evidence of his attraction.

  “Are you okay?” He asked, vaguely aware that others were shouting similar questions. He wasn’t concerned about them. He reached up and gently wiped the back of his index finger under her eye and realized it wasn’t damp mascara causing the faint smudge there. At the reminder of the jerk at the benefit, his question took on even greater importance.

  Spencer pulled back a little. For a second, he thought she was about to say something. Then, with another flash of that strange expression, she let go of his arms. Her legs left his thigh, and she floated backward and yelled at the younger Buchanan brother.

  Liam stayed in the pool and watched as she climbed out. That white material clinging to every dripping inch of her athletic body. A wet dream.

  He accepted a beer that one of JT’s friends dangled from the safety of the dry side of the pool. Except, unlike most wet dreams, this one was going to take a lot longer to fade away.

  …

  Spencer forced herself to go through the motions. She playfully slapped Zach Buchanan and threatened retribution. She graciously accepted a towel JT’s old high school girlfriend offered her, and laughed with JT as he teased her. When he offered her a margarita on the rocks, she accepted readily, knocking half of it back in almost a single gulp. JT watched her curiously but didn’t protest when she asked for a second a few minutes later.

  Pretending came easy for Spencer, even when her insides were all twisted and churning because of a few seconds in the arms of Mystery Man. Liam, she corrected herself. In a series of efficient clicks, her brain put it all together. JT had mentioned he was bringing a friend to the hospital benefit, his law school roommate, just relocated to Dallas from Los Angeles. Which explained why he’d been there, and why he was here. What it didn’t explain was… why was she reacting this way? Again.

  JT brought her the second margarita, and she sipped eagerly. “You sure you’re ok?” He asked, knowing her better than almost anyone. Spencer nodded. A lie and a smile were second-nature to a Hightower woman. They covered up a lot—for others and for themselves. Because how was she supposed to explain to JT, the thing setting her on edge was still in the pool-his muscled arms casually stretched out along the stone coping, his alert eyes watching her. Heat rose up her neck to her face. Obviously, it was the tequila because she didn’t ever blush. And certainly not over a hot piece of trouble in swim trunks.

  The second margarita didn’t calm or relax her, so she sent Zach off to make her a third. Settling into a deck chair to wait on the drink, she fidgeted with her drying shirt, ran her fingers through her damp hair, and lifted her face to the warm Texas sun. Closing her eyes, she took a deep breath and let the warmth sink into her nervous bones. Cold glass pressed against the back of her hand, and she opened her eyes to thank Zach. But Liam stood over her, backlit by the bright sunshine. Her heart thudded as she took the glass, her fingers brushing his.

  “Thank you.”

  He settled down in the deck chair next to hers, lying on his back. At the benefit,
she hadn’t been fully present enough to appreciate his strong, high cheekbones and chiseled jaw, covered with a two-day beard. His blue eyes crinkled at the sides. He was a man who laughed. A lot.

  His short sun-bleached hair was a little spiked and messy, and oh so sexy. His full lips twisted as if he couldn’t help smiling. At her.

  Spencer bit her lip at the sight of his golden skin and the many multicolored tattoos decorating his chest, arms, and shoulders. She wanted to trace them with her fingers, making a slow, deliberate trail. He must’ve noticed her checking him out because Liam’s mouth curved in a lopsided way, a charming, confident smirk. “I thought you’d need something to take the edge off the disappointment.”

  “What disappointment?”

  He reached out, and her heart thumped an extra beat until she realized what was in his hand. “Found this at the bottom of the pool. I tried giving it mouth to mouth, but I’m afraid it was too late.”

  Liam dropped Spencer’s Blackberry into her hand. Automatically, she hit a button with her thumb, but there was no flash of light or answering buzz. She would strangle Zach Buchanan.

  “Kicked the bucket?” Liam asked.

  “I’ve been meaning to upgrade,” she said. “I’ll send Zach the bill,” she joked.

  Liam smiled back, and her breath seemed to catch in her throat. “About the other night,” he started. Spencer took a quick glance around. They were alone. The rest of JT’s guests were at the outdoor kitchen, cheering on one of JT’s frat brothers and a contraption attached to a beer keg. She made a mental note to remind JT that he was over thirty years old and running for public office. His days of keg races should be over.

  “Yes?” Spencer sat up a little, smoothing the towel around her lap.

  “I’m glad to see you here. I didn’t know if I’d be able to find you again. And I wanted to see you again.”

  Spencer’s mouth dropped into an O, and she never gaped like a frog. That was unladylike. His eyes twinkled, she remembered Rainey’s advice, and she took a chance.

  “I wanted to—”

  “Give me my coat back?” The look he gave her smoldered, and she almost forgot what she was going to say.

  I wanted to see you again, too? Pin you down? Kiss you senseless?

  “Yes, of course. Your coat. I wanted to give your coat back. Thanks so much for loaning it to me.” His lips distracted her. “I don’t have it here, I left it at home. In Dallas.” She babbled. Way to stay classy.

  “Great. I don’t have another black suit.”

  “I’ll get it back to you.”

  “No rush, whenever. Maybe you can bring it to me on our first date.”

  “A date?” She asked dumbly.

  He nodded. “A date. We can’t have a second date without a first. I’m not going to brag, but my second dates are killer.”

  “Really?” She put a hand up to her wet hair, smoothing down any potential craziness there, since she couldn’t control what was coming out of her mouth.

  “I’ll cook for you. I’m an excellent cook.”

  “Are you?” Spencer lifted an eyebrow. She bet he was excellent at many other things, as well.

  Liam settled into the deck chair, lifting his face to the sun, his eyes closed. “Although it might have to be at your place, since I haven’t moved into mine yet.”

  Curiosity made Spencer ask the obvious next question. “What happens on the third date?”

  Liam opened one eye at her. “Well, we’ll see on Wednesday.”

  Spencer couldn’t help but smile. “But today’s Friday.”

  He gave up on the sun worshipping and flipped to his side, giving her his full attention. Now it was like the sun was in her eyes.

  “Too slow?” He asked.

  She pretended to consider it. “Three dates in three days? I think most people would consider that moving fast.”

  “Three days?” Liam held up his fingers and counted. “From now until Wednesday? That’s five days. That’s plenty of time especially when…”

  “When what?”

  Liam caught her gaze. “You want to get to the third date as fast as possible.”

  Her breath caught. Never had the words “third date” been so thrilling. “I was counting from Monday,” she said.

  Liam flipped to his back, stretched out his legs, and put his hands behind his head, supremely assured. “So Monday’s our first date, then. Looking forward to it.”

  At the sight of all that long, muscled flesh, laid out for her viewing pleasure, she pressed her weakening knees together, just in case they decided to do something unladylike. Calm yourself. You don’t even know this guy.

  “Not so fast. I don’t even know you. What do you d—”

  “Let’s not do that.” Liam cut Spencer off.

  “Do what?”

  “Ask each other a bunch of questions. Put each other in little boxes…”

  “But what if you’re a serial killer?” she asked, her voice rising with incredulity. She didn’t go out with strangers. She knew exactly what she was getting into before saying yes. Like with Dimitri, a taunting voice said in her head.

  Liam chuckled. “Ask JT. He’ll vouch for me. Although, that last year of law review did make me a little crazy.”

  “But I…”

  Liam interrupted again. “I’m single, straight, and I’ve only been arrested twice in my life.”

  “Only twice?” Spencer couldn’t help asking. Two arrests didn’t sound like a lot, but if one was for carjacking or insider trading, she should know.

  A slow grin spread over Liam’s face, full of mischief and a bit naughty. The kind of expression that made a woman ask what kind of trouble the man could get into and know exactly how much fun that trouble would be.

  “You can ask me on Monday.”

  “What’s Monday?” JT asked, appearing from out of nowhere. Spencer jerked as though she’d been caught doing something.

  “Back to the grind,” Spencer swung her legs off the side of the deck chair, preparing to get up.

  “Yeah?” JT pointed to the Blackberry in Spencer’s lap. “Don’t tell me we have a casualty.”

  Spencer stuck out her bottom lip as she picked up the phone. “The good news is your brother can afford a replacement.”

  JT let out a bark of laughter. “He deserves it. So rude, pushing a friend into the pool.” Something about the way JT said that made her wonder which Buchanan brother had originally concocted the idea to ambush her. “Put it in some rice or something. Isn’t that supposed to work? Check with Anita. She’ll get you some.”

  Spencer checked the cell phone. It was dead. But she’d take the opportunity anyway. “I’ll go find her,” she said as she stood up, wrapping the towel around her waist. “See y’all later.” She took great satisfaction in the knowledge that she had the self-control to walk away from Mystery Man Liam without a single glance back.

  …

  Liam couldn’t tear his gaze from the rear view of Spencer, even as wrapped up in an oversized shirt and towel as she was. His fingers twitched and his heart raced. Other things twitched, too. She was so composed, so cool, so in control. Even wet and disheveled, she looked like an angel—long hair, wide eyes and a smile that could break a heart. In the distance, he heard JT talking to him. Reluctantly, he tuned in.

  “So I see you met Spencer.”

  “I did,” he replied, not adding that this was the second time they’d met. He’d never tell JT about the first time. That was personal. From the little he’d seen of her, she seemed like she kept private stuff private… Unless it was about his arrest record.

  “She’s a good contact in Dallas. Pretty much knows everyone and everything going on.”

  “Yeah?” Liam watched the last glimpse of Spencer as she re-entered the back door of the ranch house. “She gets around a lot?”

  “Oh, god no,” JT corrected him immediately.

  Liam jerked at the quick response. “I didn’t mean that. I just meant that she’s invo
lved in a lot.”

  “Yeah,” JT looked uncomfortable. “She’s like a sister to us, but she doesn’t get around… like that… I mean, I don’t know personally, but she’s not like that. I think she’s only had one serious relationship since grad school. But that was over a year or so ago.”

  Liam nodded and stayed silent, picking up on JT’s extreme discomfort talking about Spencer’s love life.

  “But yeah, she just knows things and people. She files it all away. I think it’s because of her family and her dad being in politics.”

  As much as he wanted to know more, he’d rather hear the stories from her.

  “Cool,” Liam said.

  No reason to share his crazy thoughts about her with someone so close to her. Going after another guy’s sister—biological or honorary-was dangerous.

  “I need a refill,” Liam said as he stood up and shook his beer bottle. “Is that lunch I smell?” With the topic safely changed, Liam followed JT to the grill while keeping a close eye on whoever might be coming out of the back door to the patio, especially if she happened to be blond.

  Chapter Four

  Spencer found Anita and together they discovered a recipe involving baking soda and rice that was guaranteed to make any waterlogged phone a functioning piece of technology again. After they buried the phone in a plastic container and stashed it in the refrigerator, Spencer took Anita up on the offer to use the house phone and call the office.

  “Rainey White,” her friend chirped.

  “Hey, it’s me.”

  “Spencer? Where are you? What happened? Are you okay?”

  Spencer rolled her eyes. “I’m fine.”

  “This isn’t your number. What number is this?”

  “This is the Buchanan land line. My cell phone took a swim in the pool, so it’s temporarily disabled.” A strange, muffled sound came through the speaker. “Rainey?” Spencer asked, not sure if the sound was typical for a landline. “Are you there?”

  There was a squeak and a “MMm-hmm” and the sound of whispers. “So you were thrown in the pool?” Rainey asked, a bit loudly. Another squeak. Spencer sighed.